What is Placenta Encapsulation?
There are many ways to consume the placenta after birth and all are equally spiritual and physically beneficial to the new mother. The most modern and non-invasive way to consume the placenta is in capsule form. There are two types of encapsulation methods, Raw Capsules and TCM capsules.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Placenta Encapsulation
The most popular placenta encapsulation process used widely around the world is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques, where the placenta is considered a powerful and sacred medicine - a 'full of life force' organ that should be consumed to support a healing mother after birth. Placenta remedies are an important part of birthing history. One of the first and greatest medical and pharmaceutical experts of China, Li Shi-Zhen, included placenta zi he chi as a medicine in his first TCM Materia Medica published in 1578.
There is scattered documentation of dried placenta prescribed as a remedy in Europe during the 1700's however it wasn't until the mid 80's when Raven Lang, an American midwife who studied TCM, brought back this lost tradition by promoting placenta remedies during a MANA conference in America. Putting dried placenta powder into empty vegetable capsules, known as placenta encapsulation, has become very popular in recent years in America and Canada and is now available as a service in the UK and Europe.
Some facts about TCM Placenta Encapsulation:
- Placenta Capsules are made from your placenta with no added ingredients
- The placenta is steamed with lemon, ginger and green chilli according to TCM recipes
- The placenta is dehydrated using a food dehydrator or oven for 8-10 hours until crisp
- The dried placenta is ground into a powder and put into empty vegetable capsules
Benefits of consuming your Placenta Capsules
During a normal vaginal delivery a new mother will lose at least one eighth to one tenth of her body's blood supply, with caesarean section births blood loss can be significantly more. Losing a large amount iron so quickly can cause anaemia, leaving a new mum feeling tired, faint and exhausted. The blood needs high supplies of iron to carry oxygen to the cells - low supplies of oxygen leave your cells starving and less able to heal after trauma. The placenta benefits the new mother by supplying incredibly rich meaty iron, amino acids and essential fats which we believe is the be the perfect replenishment following the ordeal of birth.
The most important nutrients found in rich supply in the placenta include:
- Iron - essential for oxygen absorption in the cells
- vitamins B6 - aids in the making of antibodies
- Vitamin E - for healing damaged skin cells
- Oxytocin hormone - essential for facilitating birth and breastfeeding
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) - responsible for reducing stress levels
- Cytokins - Fibroblasts that trigger cell metabolism healing and replacing damaged cells and tissue
Benefits of the Placenta
The placenta benefits a healing mother after birth in many forms. Placenta soups, smoothies, pasta dishes, pattes, capsules, creams, tincuters and homeopathic remedies can all be made using the placenta; each having their own benefit to the body and encouraging a quicker more natural recovery after birth.
See the latest news! :
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9486902.New_mums_flock_to_have_pills_made_from_placenta/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2090607/Would-pill-placenta-Midwife-sells-babies-afterbirth-new-mothers.html
Contact Caroline Baddiley, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist/ Midwife - M: 07884 321470 or e-mail: caroline@ wessexindependentmidwives.co.uk or via wwwplacentanetwork.com. (IPEN)